Thomas Eakins House facts for kids
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Thomas Eakins House
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Thomas Eakins House
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| Location | 1729 Mount Vernon Street Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
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| Area | 0.1 acres (0.040 ha) |
| Built | ca. 1854 |
| NRHP reference No. | 66000679 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | October 15, 1966 |
| Designated NHL | December 21, 1965 |
The Thomas Eakins House is a special old house in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It is located in the Spring Garden area. This house was the home of a very important American artist named Thomas Eakins for most of his life. He lived here from about 1854 until he passed away in 1916. This house is so important that it was named a National Historic Landmark in 1965. Today, it is a place where local artists work together.
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What Makes This House Special?
The Thomas Eakins House is found north of downtown Philadelphia. It is on Mount Vernon Street. This house is a four-story rowhouse. The first three floors are made of brick. The top, fourth floor, is made of wood. The front of the house has three sections. The main door is on the right side. The windows are rectangular. They have simple marble sills and tops.
A Home for an Artist
The house was built around 1854. It was built for Benjamin Eakins, who was Thomas Eakins' father. In 1874, Benjamin Eakins added the fourth story. This was a special art studio for his son, Thomas. Thomas Eakins received the house in 1899. He lived there until he died in 1916.
Thomas Eakins: A Master of Realism
Thomas Eakins was a very important artist. He was a leader in developing realism in painting. Realism means painting things exactly as they look in real life. Eakins also used photography in new ways for his art. He taught many young artists at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. He showed them new ways to study and paint people. Many of his paintings show people from all parts of life in Philadelphia. This city was his home for his entire life.
The House Today
Today, the Mural Arts Program uses the Thomas Eakins House. This program is based in Philadelphia. It creates amazing outdoor murals, which are large paintings on walls.
